Gold Coast 2018 team land in Birmingham to pass the baton to next Games hosts

June 18, 2018

The Commonwealth Games Federation’s Gold Coast 2018 Debrief started today in Birmingham, England – as delivery partners from the widely-praised “Games of Firsts” travel to the UK to support the CGF in preparing the next partner host city’s by sharing expertise, experiences and learnings with Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games organisers and stakeholders.

Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive David Grevemberg CBE said:“Each Games and each host city is distinct but united by a common vision to inspire and serve athletes, citizens and communities to realise their full potential. As we continue on the trajectory of success from Glasgow 2014 to Gold Coast 2018 and onto Birmingham 2022 and beyond, we continue to transform our Games delivery partnership approach, and look forward to this week’s programme focused on collaborative and continuous improvement and innovation in Commonwealth sport.

“The Gold Coast 2018 team are passing the baton to Birmingham, who are committed to and focused on delivering a Games that realises the shared values of sport, culture and business and their positive impact on the young and diverse communities of Birmingham, the West Midlands and the broader Commonwealth.”

Gold Coast 2018 Organising Corporation (GOLDOC) Chief Executive Mark Peters said:“There’s no doubt that the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games delivered for the City of Gold Coast, the CGF and the numerous stakeholders with many lessons learnt for the future. GOLDOC and our stakeholders greatly benefitted from our interactions with other event organisers including Glasgow 2014.

“We hope our time here in Birmingham will similarly benefit the Birmingham 2022 organisers who will have their own unique challenges and opportunities, as we all have to deliver a great games in 2022.”

Running from 18-20 June, the debrief is coordinated and facilitated by the Commonwealth Games Federation as part of its Knowledge Transfer programme, and includes presentations, discussions and workshops on key areas such as Legacy Planning, Venue Development and Management, Government Relations, Security, Sponsorship, Transport and Community Engagement. The debrief takes place in Birmingham Council’s Headquarters on Victoria Square, the location for the widely-acclaimed Handover segment of the Gold Coast 2018 Closing Ceremony, which for the first time ever at a Commonwealth Games featured a single-camera, live broadcast performance – transmitted as part of the global broadcast and beamed in to the Gold Coast stadium.

Representatives from Gold Coast 2018 Organising Corporation (GOLDOC), Queensland Government, Queensland Police and Gold Coast City Council will participate in detailed feedback discussions with Birmingham City Council, the West Midlands Combined Authority and the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Birmingham 2022’s Interim Chief Executive Ian Reid said:“We’re delighted to welcome colleagues from the CGF and the Gold Coast as preparations build to host the next edition of the Games in just four years’ time. We have a strong and committed partnership here in Birmingham and across the West Midlands, ready to explore and benefit from the experiences and perspectives from past organisers to ensure that Birmingham 2022 provides tangible benefits to the local community and continues the Commonwealth Sports Movement’s story of impactful success.”

ENDS

About the CGF
The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) is the organisation that is responsible for the direction and control of the Commonwealth Games, and for delivering on the vision of the Commonwealth Sports Movement: to build peaceful, sustainable and prosperous communities globally by inspiring Commonwealth Athletes to drive the impact and ambition of all Commonwealth Citizens through Sport.